Coin-operated pulse generator



y 1965 M. M. E. JENKINS, SR 3,182,780

COIN-OPERATED PULSE GENERATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 5, 1962INYENTUR MERRILL M.E.JENKIN5 5R.. BY 60%, MPM

ATTORNEYS May 11, 1965 M. M. E- JENKINS, SR

COIN-OPERATED PULSE GENERATOR Filed NOV. 5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR MERRILL M.E. JENKINS 552.

j BY vKMM'PM A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,182,780 COIN-OPERATEDPULSE GENERATOR Merrill M. E. Jenkins, 512, St. Louis, Mo., assignor toCoin Acceptors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri FiledNov. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 235,307 13 Claims. (Cl. 194-9) This inventionrelates generally to improvements in a coin-operated pulse generator,and more particularly to improvements in a device of this type thatfacilitates the rapid pulsing of an accumulator with pulses generated bythe passage of various multiple denomination coins through individualpaths pulsing a common switch.

It is an important objective to provide a pulse generator for acoin-handling mechanism that is capable of accommodating a plurality ofdifferent coin denominations and yet is extremely compact in size so asto occupy only a minimal amount of space.

An important objective is realized by a pulse generator that has asingle switch and a coin chute for each selected coin denomination, andhas means operatively connected to the switch and disposed adjacent eachchute, such means pulsing the single switch in response to a coin passedthrough any one of the chutes.

Another important objective is afforded by constructing the pulsegenerator of a plurality of plates fastened together in closesuperimposed relation, the plates providing a coin chute for a selectedcoin denomination between each adjacent pair of plates. Means isprovided between each pair of plates which is operable by a coin passingthrough an associated chute to move a switch arm and hence pulse theswitch.

Still another important objective is achieved by the combination of ahousing having a plurality of coin chutes therethrough, one for eachselected coin denomination, a common switch mounted on the housing, andmeans pulsing the common switch in response to the passage of variousmultiple denomination coins through the individual chutes.

An important object is provided by the structural ar rangement of thecomponent parts comprising the switchactuating mechanism forsimultaneously carrying the coins through their specifically associatedchutes and pulsing the common switch in response to such passage,whereby effective pulsing is accomplished in accordance with andconforming to the unit value of the coins inserted.

Another important objective is realized by the interconnection andfunctional cooperation of the various component parts of theswitch-actuating mechanism between the adjacent pairs of plates so as toobtain efiicient operation in pulsing the common switch with a minimumnumber of parts, and to provide a compact, flat device.

Yet another important objective is to provide a pulse generator that issimple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture andassemble, highly efiicient in operation, and which is fully automatic.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the inventionwill more clearly appear from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection withaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coin-operated pulse generator; i

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the generator shown I in FIG. 1; a

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen along line 33 of FIG. 4 is asectional view as seen along line 4-4 of FIG. 1; p

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FIG. 5 is a sectional view as seen along line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the componentparts moved on insertion of a coin;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but illustratingthe component parts moved upon insertion of a coin;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but showing thecomponent parts moved upon insertion of a coin;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view as seen along staggered line 9-9 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional View as seen along line 1010 ofFIG. 7, and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view as seen along line 1111 ofFIG. 8.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, and first toFIG. 1, it is seen that the pulse generator includes a plurality ofsubstantially rectangular plates 10, 11 and 12 arranged in closesuperimposed relation, one over the other in sandwich arrangement toprovide an extremely flat compact unit. The rearmost plate 10 isprovided with a plurality (a total of three (3) in the embodimentdisclosed) of forwardly projecting cylindrical lugs 13. These lugs 13are spaced at various parts about. the periphery of the rear plate 10 asis best seen in FIG. 3. The intermediate plate 11 is provided with acorresponding number of circular apertures 14 through which the lugs 13closely interfit and extend. Furthermore, the front plate 12 is providedwith a corresponding number of recesses 15 in its rear face into whichthese lugs 13 extend. It will be readily apparent that the lugs 13interfit into the plate apertures and recesses 14 and 15 respectively toalign the plates 10-12 for assembly.

When assembled, the front plate 12 is provided with a cover plate 16that is secured in place by a plurality of screws 17.

Fixed to the rear face of the back plate 10 is a mounting plate 20 thatcarries a switch 21. The switch 21 is con nected through an electricalcircuit to an accumulator and is adapted to pulse intermittently tocondition such accumulator upon the insertion of coins into the pulsegenerator.

The rear plate 10 and the intermediate plate 11 when assembled in theclosely adjacent superimposed relation constitutes a section thataccommodates a particular denomination of coin, as for example, aquarter. The plate 10 is provided with a peripheral raised area 22 thatcooperates with the back side of the intermediate plate 11 to form andpartially define a coin chute 23. The top margin of plate 10 is providedwith an entrance slot 24 communicating directly with the chute 23, whilethe bot tom margin is provided with a discharge slot 25. The chute 23 ispartially defined by a shoulder 26 located just below the entrance slot24. As will appear upon later description of parts, the chute abutment26 partly defines a pocket 27.

The rear plate 10 is provided with an opening 30 therethrough over whichthe switch 21 is placed. The switch 21 includes a rotatively mountedswitch arm 31 that extends through the plate opening 30 into the areabetween the pair of plates 10 and 11.

Rotatively mounted between the plates 10 and 11 is a wheel 32constituting a rotative member, the wheel 32 being mounted on a pivotpin 33 the ends of which are held by the rear wall 10 and by the frontwall 12. Therefore it is seen that the pin 33 not only extends betweenadjacent plates 10 and 11, but also extends between the other adjacentpair of plates 11 and 12, the reasons for which will later appear. Thewheel 32 is provided with a plurality of peripheral camming teeth 35. Inaddition,

the wheel 32 is disposed in an arcuate recess 34 formed in the rearplate 11 so that the wheel plane is below the plate surface forming thecoin chute 23.

A plurality of laterally extending tabs are struck out toward the frontside of wheel 32, one set of tabs 36 being circumferentially spaced onthe wheel 32 and located closely adjacent the teeth 35, while the otherset of tabs 37 .is circumferentially spaced about the pin 33 inwardly ofthe outermost set of tabs 36. It will be noted that the two sets of tabs36 and 37 are circumferentially offset relative to each other so thatone tab 37 is located substantially intermediate each adjacent pair ofoutermost tabs 36. During operation, one of the outermost tabs 36cooperates with one of the innermost tabs 37 to seat a coin insertedinto the chute 23.

As will appear in FIG. 9, the rear face of intermediate plate 11 isprovided with a pair of concentric annular grooves 40 and 41 adapted toreceive respectively the tabs 36 and 37. This structural arrangementserves to assist and guide the wheel 32 in its rotative action and alsodefines a space between the wheel 32 and the rear surface ofintermediate plate 11 that is adapted to receive the inserted coin.

Pivotally mounted by pin 42 between the rear plate 10 and intermediateplate 11 is a control lever 43. The lever 43 includes an arm 44 thatprojects into the chute 23 directly opposite the chute shoulder 26 toprovide a gap that is more narrow than the width of the coin insertedinto such section. The control lever 43 also includes another arm 45that abuts one of the outermost tabs 36a to preclude counterclockwiserotation of wheel 32 as viewed in FIG. 3.

When the coin is inserted into slot 24 and falls by gravity into thechute pocket 27, the coin will engage the lever arm 44 and thereby pivotthe lever 43 about pin 42 in a clockwise direction from the positionillustrated in FIG. 3 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. It will bereadily seen that the lever arm 45 disengages from the outermost tab 36aand thereby releases the wheel for. rotation. As the coin falls into thechute 23 and seats on the cooperating tabs 36 and 37 of wheel 32, thelever tip portion 46 moves behind the coin and cooperates with the chuteshoulder 26 to preclude access of any additional coins to the wheel 32until the first coin is discharged from the chute and the componentparts are reconditioned.

An actuator lever 47 operatively interconnects the switch arm 31 and thewheel 32, the actuator lever 37 being pivotally mounted by pin 50 thathas its ends retained by rear plate 16 and by front plate 12. The pivotpin 50 extends between the adjacent pairs of plates, nam ly, adjacentplates 1041 and adjacent plates 1142.

The actuator lever 47 includes a tab or follower 51 that engages thecamming teeth 35 of wheel 32 upon rotation of wheel 32, the teeth 35swinging the lever 47 in a counter-clockwise direction from the positionillustrated in FIG. 3 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 as the tab51 rides up and along the particular tooth. As the actuator lever 47 ismoved, it engages and moves the switch arm 31 to a position that makesthe switch 21.

To preclude any overriding of the wheel 32, the actuator lever 47 isprovided with another tab 52 that swings into position between a pair ofwheel teeth 35. This structural arrangement assures that the tab 51 willmove back into the space between the next adjacent pair of wheel teethwhen it is returned or rotatively moved clockwise back to the positionof FIG. 3 under gravity and under the resilient loading of spring arm31. Thus it is seen'that the actuator lever 47 will oscillate back andforth upon engagement with the wheel teeth 35 to move: the switch arm 31intermittently and hence pulse the switch 21, such-switch pulsationconforming to the degree of angular rotation/f wheel 32 which in turn isin accord with the coin denomination passed through the chute 23.

Briefly, in operation, a coin suchas a quarter is inserted into theentrance slot 24 and it falls by gravity into the 4 pocket 27. The coinengages the control lever arm 44 and under its weight moves the controllever 43 in a clockwise direction to disengage arm 45 from outside tab36a so as to release the wheel 32. Then, the coin moves across the upperright hand quadrant of wheel 32 and seats between and on one of theoutside tabs 36 and its cooperating inside tab 37. The lever tip 46moves behind the coin and cooperates with the chute shoulder 26 topreclude the entrance of any other coin across the wheel.

When the coin is seated on the wheel tabs 36 and 37, the Weight of thecoin will cause the wheel 32 to rotate in a clockwise direction as issuggested in FIG. 6. As the wheel 32 rotates, the wheel tooth 35aengaging the actuator lever tab 51 will cam the actuator lever 47 in acounterclockwise direction so as to move the switch 31 to therpositionillustrated in FIG. 6, and hence pulse the switch 21. As the lever tab51 passes the point of the wheel tooth 35a, the other lever tab 52 isbrought up into the area between a pair of adjacent wheel teeth 35b and350 to arrest the counterclockwise rotation of the actuator lever 47(with the switch 21 in the made condition). The inertia of the wheel 32,the continued influence of the coin, and the internal spring bias of theswitch arm 31 all combine to act upon the actuator lever 47 to cause itto then rotate clockwise. The switch 21 exerts its pressure through itsswitch arm 31 on the upper portion of actuator lever 47 simultaneouslywith the wheel 32 exerting its pressure through the leading edge of oneof the wheel teeth 350 against the end tab 52. After the wheel teeth 35cclears the lever tab 52, the lever tab 51 is brought down into the areabetween the next adjacent pair of wheel teeth 35a and 35d. This actionarrests the clockwise rotationof the actuator lever 47 (with the switchin the reset condition), and completes one switch cycle utilizing 18degrees of rotation of wheel 32. This sequence is repeated until fivecomplete cycles of the switch 21 have been completed in degrees ofrotation of wheel 32. During this Wheel rotation, the coin is carriedand guided by the wheel 32 in its passage through the chute 23 and isdischarged from the section through the discharge slot 25.

Any over travel of wheel 32 is prevented by the fact that as the outsidetab 36a moves in a clockwise direction, such wheel tab 36a engages thecontrol lever arm 44 and cams the control lever 43 in a counterclockwisedirection from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown inFIG. 3. Thus it is seen that the control lever arm 45 is brought intothe path of the next adjacent outside wheel tab 36b to abut such tab 365and precludes any overtravel of wheel 32. When the control lever 43returns to its former attitude or reset position, such lever 43 releasesany coin restrained by its tip 46 and thereby would cause the entirecycle to be repeated.

If it is assumed that the coin denomination for which this particularsection is designed is a quarter, it will be readily understood that thecoin in moving the wheel 32 in a 90 degree angular rotation causes theoscillation of the actuator lever 47 such as to pulse the switch 21 atotal of five times.

The next adjacent pair of plates 11 and 12 when assembled in closesuperimposed relation constitute a section to accommodate anotherdenomination of coin, as for example, a dime. The front face of plate 11is provided with a pheripheral raised portion 53' as. is best seen inFIG. 4 that cooperates with the rear face of front plate 12 to provide acoin chute 54' having an entrance slot 55 and a discharge slot 55. Thecoin chute 54 is provided with a shoulder 57 below the entrance slot 55'that cooperates with other component parts of the internal'mechanism toprovide a pocket 60 for receiving the coin immediately upon insertion. VThe intermediate plate 11 also includes an opening 49 therethroughthrough which the switch arm 31 extends.

Obviously, the switch arm 31 extends between this pair of plates 11 and12.

Another rotative member or wheel 61 is rotatively mounted on the pin 33.The wheel 61 includes a plurality of peripheral teeth 62, each of whichhas an inclined camming surface 63. The camming surface 63 of eachalternate wheel tooth 62a is provided with a rearwardly extending tab 64as is best seen in FIG. 10.

Formed behind each of wheel teeth 62a is another tab 65 spaced inwardlyfrom the outermost point. Each camming surface tab 64 cooperates withits trailing inwardly spaced wheel tab 65 to seat and carry a coin inits passage through the chute 54.

The front face of the intermediate plate 11 is provided with a pair ofconcentric annular grooves 58 and 59 adapted respectively to receive therearwardly turned wheel tabs 64 and 65. This structural arrangementfacilitates and guides the wheel 61 in its rotative movement, and servesto space the plane of the wheel 61 outwardly from the front face ofplate 11 for a distance so that the coin passes into the chute and intothe space between the wheel 61 and front face of plate 11 in order toseat on the rearwardly turned Wheel tabs 64 and 65.

In this section, a first control lever 66 is pivotally mounted betweenthe intermediate plate 11 and front plate 12 by pin 67. The firstcontrol lever 66 includes an arm 70 that extends into the chute 54immediately opposite the chute shoulder 57 to provide a gap that is lessthan the width of the coin for which the section is designed toaccommodate, in this instance, a dime. The first control lever 66 alsoincludes an abutment 71 that engages the rearwardly turned tab 64 oneach alternate formed wheel tooth 62a to preclude clockwise rotation ofwheel 61.

A second control lever 72 is pivotally mounted on the same pin 67 as isthe first control lever 66. The second control lever 72 includes arearwardly turned tab 73 that overlaps and engages the upper margin ofthe first control lever 66. One end of the second control lever 72 isprovided with a rearwardly turned tab 74 that is adapted to move intothe coin chute opposite the chute shoulder 57 to narrow the entrancepocket 60 to preclude access of a coin to the upper right hand quadrantof the wheel 61, when the second control lever 62 is turned in aclockwise direction. Furthermore, the opposite end of second controllever 72 is provided with a forwardly turned tab 75 that is adapted toengage the wheel teeth 62.

When a coin of suitable denomination such as a dime is inserted into theentrance slot 55, the coin moves into the pocket 60 and engages thefirst control lever arm 70, the weight of such coin pivoting the firstcontrol lever 66 in a clockwise direction from the position shown inFIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 7. Upon turning the first controllever 66, the abutment 71 disengages from the rearwardly turned tab '64of the formed wheel tooth 62b to release the wheel 61 for rotation. Asthe first control lever 66 rotates, it engages the tab 73 of the secondcontrol lever 72 and rotates the second control lever 72 in a clockwisedirection also from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shownin FIG. 7. As the second control lever 72 rotates, the end tab 74 movesbehind the coin and cooperates with the chute shoulder 57 to block thepassage of any subsequent coin from the pocket 60 into the upper righthand quadrant of the wheel 61 until the first coin has been discharged.The other end tab 75 engages the camming surfaces 63 of the wheel teeth62 during the rotation of wheel 61, such engagement holding the secondcontrol lever in the position illustrated in FIG. 7 until completion ofthe pulsing cycle.

Another actuator lever 76 operatively interconnects the switch arm 31with the rotative wheel 61 so as to pulse the switch 21 upon wheelrotation.

The actuator lever 76 includes a hook 77 that engages the switch arm 31.The same end of actuator lever 76 includes a forwardly extending tab orfollower that is normally disposed in the path of the camming surfaces63 of wheel teeth 62. Upon rotation of wheel 61, the camming surfaces 63will engage the follower 80 to pivot the actuator lever 76 in acounterclockwise direction from the positon illustrated in FIG. 4 to theposition illus trated in FIG. 7. Upon such turning, the actuator leverhook 77 moves the switch arm 31 and pulses the switch 21. The oppositeend of actuator lever 76 is provided with another tab 8 1 that movesinto the path of the wheel teeth 62 when the actuator lever is movedcounterclockwise to the made position of FIG. 8.

When a coin of suitable denomination such as a dime is inserted into thechute inlet slot 55, the coin will first drop into the pocket 60 andengage the first control lever arm 70, the weight of such coin pivot-ingthe first control lever 66 in a clockwise direction from the positionshown in FIG. 4 to the position in FIG. 7 so that the abutment 71disengages from the wheel tooth 62b to release the wheel 61 forrotation. As the first control lever 66 pivots clockwise, it rotates thesecond control lever 72 about pin 67 so that the end tab 74 moves behindthe coin to a position illustrated in FIG. 7 in which the end tab 74cooperates with the chute shoulder 57 to provide an effective blockagainst any subsequent coin following the first coin into the samequadrant of the wheel 61. The coin drops into the pocket formed tooth62a and formed tab 65, the weight of the coin causing the wheel 61 torotate clockwise. As the wheel 61 rotates clockwise the coin rides downwith the wheel and clears the lever arm 70 leaving the first controllever 66 free to rotate back to the initial rese position. The secondcontrol lever 72 may or may not be restraining a second coin fromentering this same wheel quadrant, but will'not reset at this timebecause of the engagement of the lever tab 75 with the wheel tooth 620,such tooth supporting the second control lever 72 upon wheel rotation.

As the Wheel 61 rotates clockwise, the leading edge or carnmin-g surface63 of the formed tooth 62d strikes the lever tab 86 causing acounterclockwise rotation of the actuator lever 76 on pivot pin 50. Uponturning of the actuator lever 76 from the position shown in FIG. 4 tothe position shown in RIG. 7, the lever hook 77 moves the switch arm 31and hence pulses the common switch 21.

As the leading edge of the formed tooth 62d influences the lever tab 80of the actuator lever 76 to pulse switch 21, the other end tab 81 risesinto the area between an adjacent unformed' tooth 62c and a formed tooth62f. Overtravel of this end tab 81 (which might result in a jammedcondition) is prevented by the hook 77 coming in close proximity to theinside wall of the plate 11. Should the inertia built up in actuatorlever 76 be too great in its counterclockwise rotation, the hook 77 ofactuator lever 76 would strike the inside wall of intermediate plate 11and effectively halt the actuator lever 76 with the switch in the madecondition.

After the formed tooth 62d has passed the lever tab 80, then the inertiaof the wheel 61 plus the continued influence of the coin, plus theinternal spring bias of the switch 21, all combine to act upon theactuator lever 76 and cause it to rotate clockwise. The switch 21 exertsits pressure through its switch arm 31 on the upper portion of theactuator lever 76 simultaneously with the wheel 61 exerting its pressurethrough the leading edge of formed tooth 62 against the end tab 81 ofthe actuator lever 76 to bring the actuator lever 76 back to the resetposition.

Immediately after the formed tooth 62d clears the lever tahStl, suchformed tooth 62d engages the control lever tab 75 and takes over thesupport of the second control lever 72,while the immediately precedingunformed tooth 62c clears the end of the second control lever tab 75.

As the formed tooth 62 passes the end tab 81 of the actuator lever 76,the lever tab 86 is brought down into the area between formed tooth 62dand an adjacent unformed tooth 62c, and against the leading cammingsurface 63 of such unformed tooth 62c. This action arrests the clockwiserotation of the actuator lever '76 (with the switch 21 in the resetcondition). Overtravel of the actuator lever 76 in the clock-wiserotation is prevented by the lever end tab 81 striking the inside wallof the intermediate plate 11. This procedure completes one cycle of thepulsing of switch 21, having utilized formed teeth and unformed teeth onwheel 61 to guarantee switch actuation and reset condition respectively,and has utilized 45 degrees of the wheel rotation.

As the wheel continues to rotate because of inertia and continuedinfluence of the coin, the unformed tooth 62c now exerts pressure on thelever tab 81) and causes lever 76 to actuate the switch 21 a secondtime. Just after the unformed tooth 62a clears the lever tab 8% on theactuator lever 76, the formed tooth 62d immediately preceding engagesthe abutment 71 on the first control lever 66 to halt rotation of wheel61. It is seen that 'the first control lever 66 has returned to. itsformer attitude or reset position because of gravity after passage ofthe coin and/ or because of the influence of formed tooth 6212 on wheel61 engaging the lever arm 7d.

During the course of the 90 degree rotation of wheel 61, the coin dropsoifoi the wheel 61 and discharged out of the exit slot 56. At thispoint, the lever tab 75 is no longer supported by the unformed tooth 62cor formed tooth 62d and will fall back into the area between theunfiormed tooth 62e and a preceding formed tooth 62 since these teethwould now be occupying the relative position formerly occupied by theteeth 62c and 62d before rotation.

The completion of 90 degrees of rotation of the wheel 61 has actuatedthe common switch 21 with two pulses.

The second control lever 72 in returning to its former attitude or resetposition would have released any coin restrained by its end tab 74 andthereby have caused the entire cycle to be repeated.

The front plate 12 and the cover plate 16' provided another section fora coin of still another denomination, as for example, a nickel. It willbe seen that the front plate 12 is provided with an opening 8-2therethrough into which projects the forwardly turned tab 80 of theactuator switch 76. Consequently it will be understood that the levertab 8% extends between the front plate 12 and the cover plate 16.

The front plate 12 is provided with a peripheral raised 7 portion 83that cooperates with the fiat cover plate 16 to form a coin chute 84-therebetween having an entrance slot 85 and a discharge slot 86. Thecoin chute 841- includes a shoulder 87 that cooperates with anothercomponent part of the internal mechanism of this section to provide apocket 9i immediately below the entrance slot 85.

A rotative member 91 is pivotally mounted on pin 92 between the frontplate 12 and cover plate 16. The rotative member 91 includes an arm 93that extends into the chute 84 and cooperates with the chute shoulder 87to provide a gap that is of lesser width than the width of the coin forwhich this section is designed, as for example of lesser widththan thewidth of a nickel. The arm 93 is adapted to seat and carry the coin inits passage through the chute 84 upon rotation of member 91.

The rotative member 91 also includes an end portion 9t that is adaptedto move in behind the coin upon clockwise rotation of member 91 andhence cooperates with the chute shoulder 87 to effectively block theentrance of any subsequent coin through the chute until the first coinhas been discharged.

The rotative member 91 includes an arm 5 that is adapted to strike thetab 86 of the actuator lever 76 upon rotation of the member 91 withsufiicient force to rotate the actuator lever-76 in a counterclockwisedirection so that the hook '77 moves the switch arm 31 and hence pulsesthe common switch 21.

Upon insertion of an appropriate coin such as a nickel into the inletslot 85, the coin will first fall into the pocket 9i and thence bedirected against the lever arm 93. The weight of the coin will rotatethe member )1 in a clockwise direction and the lever portion 94 willmove behind the coin to cooperate with shoulder 87 to block the entranceof any subsequent coin until the mechanism has been restablished to theinitial position. As the member 91 rotates, the arm 5 will strike thelever tab and rotate the actuator lever '76 in a counterclockwisedirection so that the lever hook 77 moves the switch arm 31 and pulsesthe common switch 21. As the arm 95 moves the actuator lever 76 to themade position, the lever arm 93 will sufficiently open the chute 34 toallow the coin to drop freely through the discharge slot 86. After thedischarge of the coin, the member 91 will rotate under gravity in acounterclockwise direction back to its initial position as isillustrated in FIG. 5. The actuator lever 76 is free to return to thereset position by gravity and by the resilient loading of the switch 21through its switch arm 31. This act-ion completes the cycle of switch21. It will be noted that switch 21 is pulsed one time for each coinpassing through the nickel section.

When the coin-operated pulse generator is assembled and installed in itsassociated mechanism, the quarters are directed into the slot 55 and tothe switch-actuating means disposed between the adjacent pair of plates1ll-11, such means. actuating or pulsing the switch 21 five times foreach quarter, thereby indicating a nickel for each pulse unit. The dimesare directed to the inlet slot 55 and to the switch-actuating meanslocated between the adjacent pair of plates 1112 which operate to pulsethe switch twice in response to each dime. Similarly, the nickels aredirected to the inlet slot $5 and to the switch-actuating means locatedbetween the adjacent pair of plates 12 and 16, such means pulsing thecommon switch 21 once for each nickel.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed referenceto a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in aninstructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants. beingpossible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invent-ion:

1. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation, each adjacent pair of plates providing a coin chutetherebetween for a selected coin denomination,

e (b) a switch having a switch arm, 7

(c) switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of plates includinga rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, said wheelhaving a plurality of cam teeth, V

(d) said wheel having a plurality of tabs extending from one side, oneset of said tabs being circumferentially spaced and disposed radiallyoutwardly from another set of said tabs, one tab of each set providing aseat for the coin to carry the coin in its passage through said chuteduring which the coin turns said wheel,

(2) a pivoted control lever projecting into the entrance to the chuteand engaging a tab of the outermost set to preclude rotation, saidcontrol lever being piv oted by the coin upon insertion into said chuteto release said Wheel, said control lever subsequently reengaginganother of said tabs of the outermost set to retain said wheel afterpassage of the coin through said chute, and

(i) an actuator lever engaging said cam teeth upon wheel rotation foroscillation to movethe switch arm and to pulse said switch;

2. In a pulse generator:

(at) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation, each adjacent pair of plates constituting a section for aselected coin denomination and providing a coin chute therebetween,

(b) a switch having a switch arm extending between an adjacent pair ofplates, and

(c) switchaactuating means between said adjacent pair of platesincluding a rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, saidwheel having a plurality of peripheral teeth,

(d) said wheel being provided with laterally extending tabs, one set oftabs being circumferentially spaced and located radially outwardly fromanother set, the two sets of tabs being relatively offset so that onetab of each set provides a seat for a coin inserted into said chuteadapted to carry the coin in its passage through said chute during whichthe coin turns said wheel through a predetermined angle,

(e) a pivoted control lever between the said adjacent pair of plates andprojecting into the entrance to the chute and engaging one of said tabsof the outermost set to preclude wheel rotation, said control leversubsequently reengaging another of said tabs in the outermost set toretain said wheel after passage of the coin through said chute, and

- (f) a pivoted actuator lever between the said adjacent pair of platesand including a tab engageable with said teeth, said teeth rocking saidactuator lever upon wheel rotation to move the switch arm and hencepulse said switch in accordance with the number of teeth engaged duringthe wheel rotation.

3. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation, each adjacent pair of plates constituting a section for aselected coin denomination and providing a coin chute therebetween,

(b) a switch having a switch arm, and

(c) switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of plates includinga rotatively mounted member adjacent the associated chute, said rotativemember having means for seating and carrying a coin in its passagethrough said chute during which the coin turns said member, and

(d) actuating means interconnecting the switch arm with said rotativemember to pulse said switch upon rotation of said member, and

(e) switch-actuating means between each other adjacent pair of platesincluding a rotatively mounted member adjacent the associated chute, therotative member of each of the last said switch-actuating means carryinga coin in its passage through the chute during which the coin turns therotative member, each of the last said switch-actuating means includingits rotative member being independently operable relative to each otherand to the first said switch-actuating means and its rotative member,and each being operable by a coin passing through its associated chuteto move thesarne switch arm to pulse said common switch.

4. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plate fastened together in close superimposedrelation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates,

() a switch having a switch arm extending between an adjacent pair ofplates, and

(d) a switching-actuating means between the said adjacent pair of platesincluding a rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, saidwheel being provided'with a plurality of outwardly extending teeth eachof which has a cam surface,

(e) the cam surfaces of alternate wheel teeth projecting laterally toone side of the wheel, the wheel having lateral tabs behind the wheelteeth having the projecting cam surfaces, said projecting cam surfacesand wheel tabs seating and carrying a coin in its passage through thechute upon rotation of the wheel,

(f) a pivoted control means between the said adjacent pair of plates andprojecting into the chute entrance and engaging one of the projectingcam surfaces to preclude rotation, said control means being pivoted bythe coin upon insertion into said chute to release said wheel, and

(g) an actuator lever between the said adjacent pair of plates andengaging said cam surfaces upon wheel rotation and movable thereby toengage and move the switch arm intermittently to pulse said switch.

5. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates,

(c) a-switch having a switch arm extending between adjacent pairs ofplates, and

(d) a switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of plates andincluding a rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, saidwheel being provided with a plurality of outwardly extending teeth eachof which has a cam surface,

(e) the cam surface of alternate wheel teeth projecting laterally to oneside of the wheel, the wheel having lateral tabs behind the wheel teethhaving the project'- ing cam surface, said projecting cam surfaces andtabs seating and carrying a coin in its passage through the chute uponrotation of the wheel,

(f) a pivoted first control lever extending into the entrance of thecoin chute and engaging one of said projecting cam surfaces to precludewheel rotation,

(g) a pivoted second control lever engaging said wheel teeth, said firstcontrol lever being pivoted by the coin upon insertion into said chuteto release said wheel and engaging said second control lever to move thesecond lever into coin-blocking relation to the chute behind said coin,said wheel teeth holding said second control lever in said blockingrelation upon wheel rotation,

(It) said one cam surface engaging the said first lever and moving itback to a position in which the first lever will engage the next camsurface to halt wheel rotation, and

(i) an actuator lever engaging said cam surfaces upon wheel rotation andmovable thereby to engage and move the switch arm intermittently topulse said switch.

6. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates,

(0) a switch having a switch arm, and

(d) a switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of platesincluding a rotatively mounted wheel adjacent the associated chute, saidteeth being provided with a plurality of outwardly extending teeth eachof which has a cam surface, the cam surface of alternating wheelprojecting laterally to one side of the wheel,

(2) the wheel having lateral tabs behind the wheel teeth having theprojecting cam surfaces, said projecting cam surfaces and tabs seatingand carrying a coin in its passage through the chute upon rotation ofthe wheel,

( a pivoted first control lever extending into the entrance of the coinchute and engaging one of said projecting cam surfaces to preclude wheelrotation,

(g) a pivoted second contnol lever overlying said first control leverengaging said wheel teeth, said first control lever being pivoted by thecoin upon insertion into said chute to release said wheel and engagingsaid second control lever to move the second lever into coin-blockingrelation to said chute behind said coin, said wheel teeth holding saidsecond control lever in said blocking relation upon wheel rotation,

(h) said one cam surface engaging said first lever and moving it back toits position in which the first lever will engage the next cam surfaceto halt wheel rotation, and

(i) a pivoted actuator lever engaging said cam surfaces upon wheelrotation for oscillating movement thereby to engage and move the switcharm intermittently to pulse said switch in accordance with the number ofwheel teeth engaged during wheel rotation.

7. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each said ad acent pair of plates,

() aswitch having a switch arm,

(d) a first switch-actuating means between an ad acent pair of platesincluding a first wheel adjacent the associated chute,

(e) a pin rotatively mounting said first wheel and extending betweenanother pair of plates, (1'') said first wheel having means seating andcarrymg a coin in its passage through the chute upon wheel rotation,

(g) meansinterconnecting the switch arm with said wheel to move theswitch arm to pulse said switch, and

(h) a second switch-actuating means between another pair of adjacentplates including a second wheel rotatively mounted on the same pin assaid first wheel and disposed adjacent its associated chute, the secondwheel being independently movable and operable relative to the firstwheel,

(1) said second wheel having means for seating and carrying a coin inits passage through its associated chute upon the rotation of saidsecond wheel, and

(j) means interconnecting said switch arm with said second wheel to movethe said switch arm to pulse the same said switch upon rotation of saidsecond wheel.

8. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each said pair of adjacent plates,

(0) a switch having an arm,

(d) a first switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of platesincluding a first wheel adjacent the associated chute,

(e) a pin extending between two pairs of adjacent plates, said pinrotatively mounting said first wheel,

( said first wheel having means for seating and carrying a coin in itspassage through the chute upon wheel rotation,

(g) actuating means interconnecting said switch arm with said firstwheel said actuator means moving the switch arm to pulse said switch inresponse to rotation of said first wheel, 7

(h) a pin rotatively mounting said actuating means and extending betweensaid two pairs of adjacent plates, and

(i) a second switch-actuating means between another pair of platesincluding a second wheel rotatively mounted on the same pin as saidfirst wheel and disposed adjacent its associated chute, the second wheelbeing independently movable and operable relative to the first wheel,said second wheel having means for seating and carrying a coin in itspassage through the chute uponwheel rotation, and a second actuatormeans pivotally mounted on the same pin as said first actuator means,the second actuator means being independently movable and operablerelative to the first actuator means, said secondactuator meansint'erconnecting said switch arm with said second Wheel for moving saidswitch arm to pulse said common switch upon rotation of said secondwheel.

9. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation, j

(b) a coin chute provided between each said adjacent pair of plates,

(0) a switch having a switch arm,

(d) a first switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of platesincluding a first wheel adjacent the associated chute,

(e) a pin rotatively mounting said first wheel and extending betweenanother pair of plates,

(1) said first wheel having a plurality of camming teeth,

(g) said first wheel being provided with tabs adapted to seat and carrya coin in its passage through said chute during which the coin turnssaid first wheel,

(h) a pivoted control lever projecting into the entrance to the chuteand engaging the first wheel to preclude rotation, said first controllever being pivoted by the coin upon insertion into said chute torelease said first wheel, and

(i) a first actuator lever engaging said first wheel teeth upon wheelrotation, said first actuator lever moving the switch arm to pulse saidswitch, and

(j) a second switch-actuating means between another adjacent pair ofplates including a rotatively mounted second wheel adjacent itsassociated chute, said second wheel being provided with a plurality ofoutwardly extending teeth each of which has a cam surface, the camsurface of alternating wheel teeth projecting laterally to one side ofsaid second wheel,

(k) said second wheel having lateral tabs behind the Wheel teeth havingthe projecting cam surfaces, said projecting cam surfaces and tabsseating and carrying a coin in its passage through the chute uponrotation of the second wheel,

(I) a pivoted second control means projecting into the chute entranceand engaging one of the projecting cam surfaces to preclude rotation ofsaid second wheel, said second control means being pivoted by the coinupon insertion into its associated chute to release said second wheel,and

(m) a second actuator lever engaging said cam surfaces upon wheelrotation and movable thereby to engage and move the same switch armintermittently to pulse said common switch.

10. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited above inclaim 9, but further characterized in that the said first and secondwheels are rotatively mounted on a common pivot pin, and the first andsecond actuator levers are pivotally mounted on the same pivot pin, saidpins extending between adjacent pairs of plates.

11. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation,

(11) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates,

(0) a switch having a switch arm, and

(d) a first switch-actuating means between one pair of plates includinga first pivoted means for seating and carrying a coin in its passagethrough the associated chute upon rotation of said first means, and t(e) a pivoted actuator lever engaging said first pivoted means andactuated thereby to move the switch arm and hence pulse said switch,said lever extendlng between another pair of adjacent plates, and

(f) a second switch-actuating means between the said other pair ofplates including a second pivoted means for seating and carrying a coinin its passage through Its associated chute upon rotation of said secondmeans, said second pivoted meansengaging and mov- 7 ing said lever toactuate said switch arm and hence pulse said common switch.

12. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together in close superimposedrelation,

'13 (b) a coin chute provided between each adjacent pair of plates, 7(c) a switch having a switch arm, and V (d) a first switch-actuatingmeans between one pair of plates including a wheel rotatively mountedbetween one pair of plates including means for seat ing and carrying acoin in its passage through its associated chute upon rotation of saidwheel, said wheel being provided with a plurality of outwardly extendingteeth,

(e) a pivoted actuator lever engaging said wheel teeth and actuatedthereby to move the switch arm and hence pulse said switch upon rotationof said Wheel,

(f) said lever including a tab extending between another pair ofadjacent plates, and

(g) a second switch-actuating means between the said other pair ofplates including a rotatively mounted member having means for seatingand carrying a coin in its passage through its associated chute upon 7rotation of said member, said member engaging said lever tab and movingsaid lever to actuate said switch arm and hence pulse said common switchupon rotation of said member.

13. In a pulse generator:

(a) a plurality of plates fastened together .in close superimposedrelation,

(b) a coin chute provided between each said adjacentpair of plates,

(c) a switch having a switcharm, J

(11) a first switch-actuating means between an adjacent pair of platesincluding a first wheel adjacent its associated chute, a

(e) a pin rotatively mounting said first wheel and extending between asecond pair of plates, X

(f) said first Wheel having a plurality of camming teeth, 1

(g) said first wheel'having means for seating and carrying a coin in itspassage through the chute upon (k) said second actuator lever having atab extending between a third pair of adjacent plates, and

' (l) a third switch-actuating means between the said third pair ofadjacent plates including a pivoted member for seating and carrying acoin in its passage through its associated chute upon rotation of saidmember, said pivoted member engaging said tab to move said secondactuator lever against said switch arm and hence pulse saidcommonswitchupon rotative movement of said pivoted member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/27 Walker194-9 3/41 Osborne. 10/42 Muller 194-94 1/45 Andres 194-9 5/59Haverstick 194-94 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. 35 ERNEST A. FALLJR., WILLIAM B.

LA BORDE, Examiners.

3. IN A PULSE GENERATOR (A) A PLURALITY OF PLATES FASTENED TOGETHER INCLOSE SUPERIMPOSED RELATION, EACH ADJACENT PAIR OF PLATES CONSTITUTING ASECOND FOR A SELECTED COIN DENOMINATION AND PROVIDING A COIN CHUTETHEREBETWEEN, (B) A SWITCH HAVING A SWITCH ARM, AND (C) SWITCH-ACTUATINGMEANS BETWEEN AN ADJACENT PAIR OF PLATES INCLUDING A ROTATIVELY MOUNTEDMEMBER ADJACENT THE ASSOCIATED CHUTE, SAID ROTATIVE MEMBER HAVING MEANSFOR SEATING AND CARRYING A COIN IN ITS PASSAGE THROUGH SAID CHUTE DURINGWHICH THE COIN TURNS SAID MEMBER, AND (D) ACTUATING MEANSINTERCONNECTING THE SWITCH ARM WITH SAID ROTATIVE MEMBER TO PULSE SAIDSWITCH UPON ROTATION OF SAID MEMBER, AND (E) SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANSBETWEEN EACH OTHER ADJACENT PAIR OF PLATES INCLUDING A ROTATIVELYMOUNTED MEMBER ADJACENT THE ASSOCIATED CHUTE, THE ROTATIVE MEMBER OFEACH OF THE LAST SAID SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS CARRYING A COIN IN ITSPASSAGE THROUGH THE CHUTE DURING WHICH THE COIN TURNS THE ROTATIVEMEMBER, EACH OF THE LAST SAID SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING ITSROTATIVE MEMBER BEING INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER ANDTO THE FIRST SAID SWITCH-ACTUATING MEANS AND ITS ROTATIVE MEMBER, ANDEACH BEING OPERABLE BY A COIN PASSING THROUGH ITS ASSOCIATED CHUTE TOMOVE THE SAME SWITCH ARM TO PULSE SAID COMMON SWITCH.